EMAIL: spikez_me@hotmail.com
URL: www.geocities.c o m/coda_spikez/
DISCLAIMER: Amazing to think that we can play with some characters owned by Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy/Fox/etc with just the inclusion of this little line. Yay!
RATING: R
PAIRINGS: B/S (*sigh*)
TEASER: AU, Earl Summerly a compulsive gambler wagers the hand in marriage of his daughter Elizabeth Summerly to the evil Lord Angelus. Can Lord William Ripper rescue Elizabeth?

AUTHOR'S NOTES: So sorry about the extreme delay in updating. I was avoiding this chapter as it dealt with the past and i wasn't sure how to write it. Then i kinda worked out some of my own personal issues in it too.
Yay! My life's a gothic novel.

CHAPTER 4

"The day approaches soon." Spike was taken away from his thoughts by Clem's words.

"What day?" Spike questioned impatiently, positioning his horse towards the Castle.

"The day we shall enjoy the company of the fair lady Summerly."

Spike looked back at Clem sharply, trying to ascertain whether he was ribbing him or offering a genuine observation.

"Yes, the coach has been instructed to travel to Summerly Estate this morn," Spike answered in a seemingly indifferent tone.

Clem's smile finally gave away his purpose, "I'm sure you await breathlessly William. Might I suggest a more gentlemanly manner and friendly conversation might serve better at this meeting with the lovely Lady Elizabeth."

Spike grimaced and bore the good natured laughter of his friend. He knew his behaviour had been the height of rudeness towards the two ladies. However, there was something in those green eyes that made normal sane actions impossible. Those emeralds had sparkled occasionally with passionate hate, and yet, deeper there was something else. The first gaze at something he had longed for deep inside, yet never knew that it had actually existed outside his subconscious.

Eerily as if reading his mind, Clem observed, "Perhaps your mind was more agreeably engaged? Meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow?"

Spike turned back towards home and ignored the correct speculation of Clem, "I'm sure Lady Summerly with be better taken care of at Ripper Castle. I won't be available to welcome our guests as I have urgent business to attend to in London. You might as well come along too."

"Spike, you mean to leave the girl to her own devices again? In this lonely castle?"

"Certainly not," Spike shot back, "Mother will be more than qualified to take charge of a young lady such as Lady Summerly."

"Your Mother!" Clem's astonished remark again stopped Spike from his progress.

"I will discuss with her the matter, and she should have no trouble arranging something for the girl."

"Now hasten your stead Clem, the hour is getting late." With that Spike galloped off leaving Clem to try to rein in a horse more interested in feeding than travelling.

****************************


Spike entered his study and hastened to gather his papers, ordering his valet to make provisions for their journey. He also asked Woods to summon his mother. Clem's reminder about the arrival of their guest had motivated him to move forward his trip. For some reason he loathed to face Elizabeth again so soon. Perhaps it had been a long rest, and the time to head across the Channel was here.

A slight knock was heard and the door opened to reveal his mother. Despite her advancing years, Lady Drusilla Ripper was still an exotic beauty. Dark tresses elaborately curled and pinned. Ice blue eyes, exquisite dress and jewellery, she could have easily been mistaken for his sister.

"My sweet William," Drusilla cooed, "what is this I hear of you leaving for town so soon after your return?"

"There is urgent business that cannot be delayed Mother. I shall be back within a few weeks. In the meantime I have a guest for you to entertain. A…hmmm friend, Lord Summerly passed away in tragic circumstances and I was made executor of his will. Along with the Estate, the responsibility of his young daughter, Lady Summerly also falls to me."

"Oh how tragic for the poor child. An orphan!" Drusilla murmured sympathetically.

"I saw her at the Summerly estate and decided that she would benefit from your companionship. The girl should be mixing with society rather than being lost in the country."

"That is true William. You are too kind to such a hapless girl. Charity is a godly virtue."

"It is not charity, but responsibility Mother," Spike rebutted sharply, still gathering his papers.

"Certainly, William, certainly."

"She will arrive tomorrow morn, I'm sure you will make her welcome." Spike had a faint warning in his tone as he paused from his search on his desk. He was not entirely oblivious to his mother's ways. Over the years he had come to be more aware of the more aggressive aspects of her character.

"I will treat her as if she was my own daughter."

Spike thought back to his own childhood at this statement. Years spent in the lonely corridors of the castle pretending to have imaginary friends. Rare appearances of his mother had brought hopes of an escape, only to be told that his inadequacies in studies were not befitting someone of his birth. Spike shook off the maudlin air, remembering that such upbringing was good for character.

"William there is no need for you to worry," Drusilla came around Spike's desk and placed her hands on his shoulders. Bending down to his ear, she murmured softly, "and you can be free to take care of your business my dear."

Spike tensed and froze his movements. Hurriedly he slammed his papers shut and turned around.

'Did she know about his activities?' He studied her suspiciously for a few moments. However Drusilla's innocent gaze revealed nothing.

'She couldn't. The customs officers themselves were without a clue. He was becoming far too suspicious about his business. The last trip had been careless on his behalf. This time he was not going to make the same mistakes.

"Was there anything else William dear?" Lost in his thoughts Spike paid no further attention to the question.

"No, no, that is all," taking the sheaf of papers Spike hurried out of the study.

The pleasant smile on Drusilla's lips disappeared the instant the door closed behind William.

"That is all!" Drusilla snarled at the closed door. "Am I a lowly servant to be commanded at every turn? I will not be subservient to you William. I have to be shown respect. After all I deserve it!"

Drusilla smiled evilly, closing her eyes, her arms raised, she began to spin to unheard music. Round, round, round she spun, a strange tune emerging from her lips. Lifting her head up still smiling, she finally paused.

'She had worked too hard for this position. She was owed the respect.'

The smile twisted off her face when she thought back to the past. 'Born the fourth daughter of an impoverished gentleman. She had always known she was destined for something greater. The little money her father had had been dispersed by the marriages of her sisters and their dowries, leaving nothing for her. She would never forgive her father for such a sin as his poverty.'

An expression of distaste overcame her face, her arms lowered and she wrapped them around herself.

'She had quickly realized that she had to secure her own future without the help of her family. Choosing carefully until she found her mark. Sir Ethan Ripper was the spoilt younger brother of Lord Ripper. His penchant for high living and female flesh was well known in society. She had succeeded in capturing him where others had failed. A runaway marriage in drunken glory and she was Lady Ripper. However marriage had not been what she imagined in her scheming. Ethan frittered away most of his income on more drunken nights and girls.'

Drusilla still became angry thinking of him. His foolishness she sneered silently had been his downfall in the end.

'Arriving home one night drunk as usual, to their inadequate lodgings, She had launched a diatribe against him. In his intoxication he had attacked her but Drusilla had escaped his clutches.'

A determined expression showed on her face as she remembered Ethan's face as she had pushed his stumbling body down the stairs to his death. 'Staring down afterwards at his crumpled misshapen body, she had felt no pity for such a man.'

'However his death, as welcome as it was, left her an impoverished widow, with Ethan's debtors scattered near and far in the county. A scheme devised, she had left for Ripper castle six and twenty years ago to what was now her home.'

'Ethan's older brother was everything Ethan lacked as a man. Kind, generous and most importantly deeply attentive to his responsibilities, was Rupert.'

Drusilla smiled as she thought back to her first visit here. 'Upon hearing that she was expecting the child of his dead brother, Rupert had not hesitated from his duty to marry her.

They had quickly married and she was firmly ensconced as the Lady of the castle. Here she had stayed since and nothing could displace her after all this time.'

'Certainly not the little chit of a girl that was to arrive. Oh she had her little birds in society still. She had seen past the little euphemism of an explanation that William had offered her for the presence of the girl in her domain. The girl was nothing but a burden to William. However, bringing her here to Ripper Castle was an unforeseen occurrence. Something would have to be done about her.'

She walked to the window that looked out to watch William enter his carriage. They rode away after a moment and Drusilla continued watching. The same strange tune came to her lips again as she smiled and watched.

**************************



"Yes Anya," Buffy repeated for the tenth time that morning. Sighing she looked out at the beautiful day outside wishing she could take one last turn in the gardens where she had spent her childhood.

"Buffy!! You are not listening to me again! Daydreaming again when this is the last chance we may have to talk ever … again." Anya broke off and started dabbing her already red eyes with her kerchief again.

Buffy turned with concern for her friend, "Anya, don't be silly, of course we will see each other again." Buffy put her arms around her friend comforting her. She wanted to say more to reassure her but truth be told Buffy did not know herself whether they would ever meet again. Her future was in a state of flux. She could not even predict her tomorrow let alone the next year.

"Well, you must listen to me now Buffy. I'm older and I have seen more of the world than you have. I understand what is expected of a young lady. You are a beautiful and intelligent girl Buffy. However, you have to realize that society values only the beauty alone from a woman.
Our views are not required, only our support and silence."

Buffy's brows knitted as she listened, "How can that be right? I was brought up by Father to understand that I could achieve anything. How can I do that by remaining silent and immobile?"

"Oh Buffy you are so young!" Anya rose from the Buffy's bed and resumed folding the clothing for the luggage.

"We live in a society that does not appreciate the views of the fairer sex. Even Olav," Anya's voice suddenly rose to a high pitch on her departed husband's name, "god bless his soul," her tone quieted again at the respectful words, "loved me but he didn't listen to my suggestions."

"I have come to realize as you will that a young lady in society should be seen, not heard. Her recommendations should be her needle point not the sharp point of her tongue."

"Trust my experience my dear, and heed my advice."

"I trust you Anya, but I cannot believe that all men think the same way."

"Men! If they were the only problem it might have been easy, but no, you must watch yourself around Lady Drusilla Ripper too. I have heard that she is not an easy woman to please. She has been too long the lady of the manor. She will not take kindly to intrusion on her domain. You have to show yourself as the sweet, simple girl that you are. No quoting from your books." Anya said the last word as if it was equivalent to the deadly plague.

"But what harm can there be from discussing literature, Anya."

"Because, they show your intelligence, your strengths. There are situations showing your strengths can be against your advantage."

Buffy let out a little laugh, "Anya, you are trying to scare me, you make this seem as if it is a war or battle that I have to undertake?"

Anya left her task and came in front of Buffy, putting her hands on her arms and bent down to look at her fully. "But that is what this is my dear. A battle, a war. We have to wage this war with whatever means we possess. A sweet smile, a lilting laugh, and false compliment. We have little rights with which to bless ourselves with. So we have to earn them through those close to us."

"Buffy you were one of the few lucky ones who had the background that could guarantee you a place in society and security without any of these tricks and illusions. However circumstances have changed, and now I am so sorry to think I did not educate you about this earlier. Now... I will not be able to protect you and shall suffer because of my incompetence." Anya again began to sob.

"Anya, please, please don't cry. I will listen to anything you say. Please, don't cry."

"Truly?" Anya looked up with large salty eyes.

"Yes truly," Buffy smiled.

Anya hugged her young charge and smiled happily.

"Now when you are asked your opinion, don't give it freely. Smile depreciatingly and say that you do not think you can comment intelligently on such a matter"

"And always smile at Lord Ripper! If you are very good and follow all my instructions maybe he will choose you as his bride."

"But I don't love him Anya!" Buffy cried out in outrage unable to agree to this even for her dear friend. "I don't think I could ever love such a haughty and difficult man."

"Buffy dear, they are all difficult men. There is no respite from that malady. The key is to look beyond that to remember the advantages to being his bride."

"What advantages could there be to being chained to such a man?"

"The power, the influence, the enormous wealth. Lord Ripper is one of the richest men in the country my dear. This wealth includes a fine collection of jewels. I am told that will all be yours one day. Rubies, emeralds, pearls, diamonds……."

"Anya, but I don't care about such things. I want to marry a man that I love." Buffy interrupted Anya's smiling daydream.

"Love? Love will come eventually. Such was the case with Olav and me too." Anya said to Buffy unemotionally. "I didn't always love him, but I came to love him eventually."

Buffy sat silently as Anya's voice droned on in the background, contemplating all her friend's advice. It depressed her that this was to be her fate. Trapped in a loveless marriage at best, struck dumb from using her mind by social conventions, and away from all those she knew and loved.


TBC